LAKE FOREST – Gabe Carimi never had played guard in a game until he replaced injured teammate Lance Louis as an emergency fill-in this week at Soldier Field.
Now, Carimi is the starting right guard heading into the Bears’ next game Sunday against Seattle.
“As of right now, that’s where it is,” Carimi said Wednesday at Halas Hall.
Carimi practiced with the first team as part of a reshuffled offensive line that included J’Marcus Webb at left tackle, Edwin Williams at left guard, Roberto Garza at center and Jonathan Scott at right tackle. Louis is out for the season because of a knee injury, while Chris Spencer missed practice because of a knee injury.
Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice said he was impressed by Carimi’s stint at guard after Louis went down. Carimi had been benched a week earlier as the starting right tackle and accepted his new position without complaint.
“I’m glad he kept in a good mind frame and went in there and did a nice job,” Tice said. “He looked good pulling around there [at right guard].”
Cram session: Andre Gurode started learning the Bears’ playbook before his first practice at Halas Hall, where he wore No. 64 and lined up with the second team at right guard.
The Bears signed Gurode on Tuesday to bolster an offensive line that has been depleted by injuries. Gurode, 33, started 127 games in 10 seasons with Dallas and Baltimore before joining the Bears.
“We looked at a couple of different things today,” said Gurode, who received the locker that was left vacant by Chilo Rachal. “I got some things down. I’m going to keep working at it and take it home tonight and start studying all over again.”
Gurode said he would be happy with any role that the Bears wanted him to serve.
“If they told me to play fullback, I’d play fullback,” Gurode said.
Say what: The abuse of the prescription drug Adderall has become a hot topic in the NFL, but Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall said it’s not the only drug used.
“Some guys, they’ll do whatever they can to get an edge,” Marshall said. “I’ve heard crazy stories. I’ve heard of guys using Viagra, seriously, because the blood, it’s supposed to thin. I don’t know. Some crazy stuff.”
Bears bits: Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen was fined $21,000 by the NFL for his hit against Louis on Sunday. … Matt Forte (ankle) practiced on a limited basis but showed no signs of injury during the brief portion of practice open to the media. … In addition to Spencer, five other players missed practice: Lance Briggs (ankle), Kellen Davis (ankle), Devin Hester (concussion), Alshon Jeffery (knee) and Charles Tillman (ankle).
